Macklin signals changes to NT intervention

PM - Thursday, 17 January , 2008 18:10:00

Reporter: Anne Barker

ASHLEY HALL: The Commonwealth Government says is won't be watering down the controversial intervention program into Northern Territory Aboriginal communities.

The Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin, has held her first meeting with the intervention taskforce in Canberra and has promised the Labor Government's full support.

But there will be some changes - both the Government and members of the taskforce want to modify some of the measures affecting about 70 Indigenous communities.

Anne Barker reports.

ANNE BARKER: There was one clear message the Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin wanted to get across after today's meeting in Canberra.

And that was that Labor is no less committed to the intervention program than the former Howard government.

JENNY MACKLIN: I really do want to emphasise that they understood and appreciated our support for the intervention when we were in opposition. They understood that and they appreciated that at the time.

ANNE BARKER: Still, both the Minister and the taskforce itself have agreed that changes are needed to make the intervention more effective, that any reforms must be proven to work and not simply based on ideology.

A none-too-subtle reference to the controversial proposal to abolish the Indigenous permit system, and scrap the CDEP - or Aboriginal work for the dole.

Jenny Macklin is also keen to move from the initial emergency phase into longer term programs for Indigenous people.

JENNY MACKLIN: Obviously the whole purpose of the intervention in the first place was to improve the lives of children, to address the very serious levels of child abuse. But the point that the taskforce made, which very much fits in with the Government's approach, is that we recognise that if children are to be safe in their own homes and their own communities, that they really need to have strong, viable communities, communities that have employment and economic development opportunities, communities that have the services that other Australian communities expect and enjoy.

ANNE BARKER: On the ground in remote communities, a wide range of measures has continued to roll out since before the election and through the Christmas period.

Welfare payments are gradually being quarantined to ensure families spend at least half their money on food and essentials, rather than alcohol or gambling, bans on grog and pornography are still in place, and health checks of children are continuing.

But one taskforce member, Dr Bill Glasson, says there needs to be more consultation with the communities themselves.

BILL GLASSON: A lot of good things have come out of this so far, but due to the fact that some of it was implemented quite quickly, the issue around ensuring that we had, you know, appropriate consultation, both with the Northern Territory Government and also with the committees at the grass root level was important.

And that process needs to continue to be rolled out.

ANNE BARKER: Do you believe the Labor Government is as committed to the intervention as the former government?

BILL GLASSON: Look, having spoken with the Minister today, Jenny Macklin, I am firmly of the opinion that this Government is committed to ensure that this intervention delivers the outcome that the Aboriginals need in this country, and that's to ensure we deliver the outcome that we need.

ANNE BARKER: But do you believe the intervention has lost momentum in the last few months?

BILL GLASSON: No, look, I don't believe it has. I think the reality is we've had a Christmas break, we've got a wet season up in the Northern Territory so it's difficult getting resources out in those communities, and thirdly we've had a change in government. They've been trying to find their legs, and so in reality no.

ANNE BARKER: So how soon do you believe we can see any meaningful improvement in the lives of Indigenous people in remote communities in the NT?

BILL GLASSON: I think it's happening now. You go and talk to the Indigenous women out there and talk about alcohol control, talk about policing, talk about getting their kids to school.

These things are happening out there, these women are coming back to us and saying things are improving.

And I think we have to make sure we deliver in the long-term so that every Australian feels proud of what we're giving our Indigenous children in this country.